Keep the story of the Peace Butterfly alive . Please take a couple of seconds to forward this email to at least three

1. This is the Story of the Peace Butterfly. It is an ancient story from China and it is said that whoever reads it or hears it will find peace and happiness for it has the power to transform.

2. A long time ago there lived a hermit monk called San Qi. He lived in a hut beside a mountain stream. During his time there was much violence and war as local war lords tried to grasp power. There was much sadness and suffering and many families had lost not only their belongings but also family members who were killed in the wars. San Qi was very sad. Daily he prayed that the Bodhisattva Kuan Yin would bring peace to the land.

3. One night he had a dream. In the dream Kuan Yin in all her beauty appeared to San Qi. She told him that a battle was to begin between two towns the following day. She instructed him to play his bamboo flute with all his skill beside the mountain stream. With that, she took the form of a butterfly and flew into the clouds.

4. The following day, San Qi, disturbed by the news of impending battle and astonished by the dream he sat on a rock beside the gentle mountain stream and began to play a soft melody on his flute. He played with great care and skill. The notes were like wisps of breeze as they floated melodiously about him. Suddenly there appeared a beautiful blue butterfly dancing about his head to the wooden tones of his flute. Before long there were thousands upon thousands of exquisitely colourful butterflies. As San Qi continued to play the butterflies ascended towards the sky.

5. Down in the valley the armies and people of both cities were facing each other ready for the battle. The archers had drawn their bows with arrows posed for the kill. Suddenly there descended from the sky the thousands upon thousands of butterflies. There was such a host that the sun was darkened by their presence. Afraid that if they released their arrows the soldiers of both sides would kill the butterflies and afraid that this was a sign from the heavens they put down their weapons and felt great shame.

6. A young man who had been collecting Bamboo in the mountains above the village told the people he had heard a heavenly sound of flute coming from beside a stream. When he went to investigate he saw the monk San Qi playing his flute surrounded by a host of butterflies.

7. Before long the word had spread in the two towns. That very evening the people of the waring towns came together and lit candles and incense to the Buddha for showing them the way to peace and happiness. It was decided that every year the villagers would tell the story of San Qi and remember the way of peace and happiness. People began to grow many coloured flowers to attract the butterflies and there was much happiness through the region. This is the story of San Qi and the Peace butterflies.

8. Keep the story of the Peace Butterfly alive. Please take a couple of seconds to forward this email to at least three friends (or more). NO! There is no promise of good fortune, blessings or wealth if you if you do. And nothing will happen if you don’t. It is a gift. A gift is freely given. There is much violence, pain and suffering in our world. Help make a difference. For more information on the Peace Butterfly Project and resources for a better world. http://www.taishendo.com/Peace-Butterfly-Project.html